All roads lead to an HEA -- at least in a true romance novel, so it's the journey that matters. And this one was just glorious. Two compelling ledes — Maddie Montgomery and Gryff Davies -- whose family have been at each other's throats since before they were born. How the two get past the very real enmity to discover that, yes, they are falling in love and can work together, is a wonderful story. These are two adults who find love in all the right places. First in what promises to be an invigorating series from Kate Bateman. (I received an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions mine.)

Delightful enemies-to-lovers romance with a long-standing family feud over a tract of land, family secrets, a mystery, underground caves, treasure, and romance.

Can two people from opposing families find a way to peacefully coexist, create an alliance, and find love while evading danger?

Gryff and Maddie are two wonderful characters who will touch your heart as they steal kisses while seeking the truth and uncovering mysteries.

Received an ARC from Netgalley.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

When you take an ancient family feud, two childhood frenemies, a den of smugglers and a simmering passion, what do you get? An absolutely wonderful, fantastic book, that's what.

The Montgomery and Davies families have feuded since medieval time, one family English and the other Welsh. Their lands adjoin except for a strip of no man's land, as decreed by King Henry the Seventh. Each year a family representatives meet, shake hands and agree not to kill each other.

Madeline Montgomery and Gryffud Davies, Earl of Powys have known, and tormented, each other since childhood. Gryff went off to fight Napoleon and Maddie grew up to be a smart, stunning beauty with an interest in archaeology. At this years meet and greet each is stunned by the changes in the other.

When Maddie stumbles into a cave system, she hopes to find artifacts that will help restore her families depleted fortune. Of course, Gryff is right behind her and they find a smuggler's den full of illicit contraband which leads to a dangerous undercover mission. What they eventually find is the answer to Maddie's prayers, and a steamy encounter with Gryff that leaves Maddie well aware of her own lack of experience and that what she feels for Gryff is really love.

A good start to a new series. Fun, witty and adventurous. While I really enjoyed the heroine in this story, I was not as big of a fan of Gryff’s. I still enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book to come.

Madeline "Maddie" Montgomery and Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, the new Earl of Powys families have been rivals for years. They spent their childhoods pulling pranks on each other. When Maddie's family comes into hard times, her father wants her to marry some older man for the money. Maddie would rather do anything else than marry Sir Mostyn Drake. When Maddie goes to meet with a Davies family member on the designated bridge that her family is required to do once a year, the last person she expects to see is Gryff. From the moment their hands touched in their handshake, electricity ran through both of their bodies and Gryff decides to take things further and kisses Maddie on the lips! This starts a fun cat and mouse game. When Maddie and Gryff stumble upon some hidden tunnels and smuggled goods, things get really fun! As these two continue to make their way through all of the danger around them, real feelings start to emerge until they both realize that they are in love with the other. Now all they have to do is convince their families that two rivals should be together.

I just loved this super sexy rivals to lovers story. The chemistry between Maddie and Gryff was just off the charts. I enjoyed how headstrong Maddie was and how that trait seemed to bring Gryff to his knees. I also really enjoyed the mysterious smuggler story that happened. It was fun watching these two try and figure out what was happening. Overall this was a wonderful book in the start of a new series by Kate Bateman.

A Reckless Match
by Kate Bateman
Ruthless Rivals #1
St. Martin's Paperbacks


Oh my stars this was soo good….

The Clan Davies are Welsh and have been feuding for hundreds of years with an English family, The Montgomery’s! Over none other than a stolen pig?…or maybe a stolen woman?

Gryffud Davies and Madeline Montgomery are apart of feuding neighboring families.
In their younger years they teased each other, but their was definitely some undercurrent attraction towards each other.

Madeleine is struggling to save her beloved family from the brink of ruin.
While Gryff Davies thought he would be spending his post napoleonic time being scandalous in London. In a series of events he finds himself back home in his ancestral welsh estate. Nothing prepared him for the sight of the grown up Madeline Montgomery. Likewise fiery Madeleine was knocked off her socks by the incrediblely handsome Gryff.

A heated enemies to lovers full of spice, that made for the perfect escapism. Excitement and twists keep the reader invested in storyline. While the slow rise tension made for a stunning historical romance.

This book had great characters and one of my favorite tropes, enemies-to-lovers. I felt like the pace was fast and the banter was fun! Will definitely read more from Kate Bateman in the future!

It all started as a dispute over a pig! Now centuries later, a bitter rivalry still exists between the Davies' and the Montgomerys'.

It's The Spring Equinox and Madeline "Maddie" Montgomery is patiently waiting for the new earl to meet up and exchange a promise that both families will remain civil towards each other for the coming year. As the time nears midday, Maddie hopes no one turns up because it would mean the Davies' would cede the common land they share… a place likely to be rich with coal and gold. However, just as she is certain, good fortune will save the day for her family, Gryff appears. Only, instead of shaking her hand to confirm another peaceful year, he steals a kiss from her…

Gryffud "Gryff" Davies, Earl of Powys is at Trellech Court, his ancestral home after fleeing London due to taking part in an illegal duel. As someone who has recently inherited the earldom, it's a chance for him to learn more about the responsibilities he's reluctantly shouldered with. On 21st March, as part of his duty, he has to meet with a Montgomery and shake their hand as a sign to continue their agreement; to remain tolerant towards each other. However, as he approaches the meeting place, he's surprised to see Maddie Montgomery, the girl he used to tease. Only, she's now a grown woman… a very beautiful one!

As I've come to expect, the author has written another fabulous novel, brimming with detail and romance. Both the protagonists are extraordinary characters in their own way, as we learn more about them. It's always satisfying when a heroine has substance, as Maddie's feisty character shines and proves she is so much more than just an earl's daughter. Equally, Gryff is a swoon-worthy hero and deserving of the woman he teased relentlessly as a child. The dialogue is fun and flirty and the historical references are insightful and combine into an all round entertaining novel.

A Reckless Match is the first novel in Ms Bateman's new series; Ruthless Rivals and I can't wait to pick up and read more from one of my favourite historical novelists.


***arc generously received courtesy of St Martin's Paperbacks via NetGalley***

The Davies and Montgomery families have been feuding for forever and it all started with a pig, or was it a woman. Who knows as they seem to enjoy picking on each other. Maggie Montgomery and Gryff Davies were two that enjoyed teasing each other but was it hate or love that kept them engaged. Gryff was brought home from fighting the war when his father passed away and he became the new Earl of Powys. He didn’t plan on spending time at the Welsh castle but when he got into an illegal duel in London, he headed home to let things settle for a while. The action and life threatening situations they Maggie and Gryff got into kept you wondering what would happen next with the drama and suspense in this story to the very end. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

Can I start by saying I loved this story? I enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers romance and when combined with Kate Bateman’s wonderful writing, you can’t go wrong! It’s definitely a one-click buy! A Reckless Match is the first book in her new series, Ruthless Rivals, and based on Maddie and Gryff’s story, I can’t wait for the next book!

Although this is an enemies-to-lovers romance, Maddie and Gryff have hidden their feelings for each other since they were kids. Their feelings are rekindled when they meet to shake hands for the annual family “meeting” on the summer equinox. And how they are rekindled. They are perfect for each other! Maddie is adventurous, outspoken, and determined to save her home. Gryff is charming, witty, and loves to tease Maddie.

This book has it all! Smugglers, cave exploration, action, suspense, danger, witty and playful banter, swoon-worthy romance, smoldering chemistry between Maddie and Gryff, and Kate Bateman’s wonderful descriptions of the Welsh countryside and the cave. I could picture the beauty of the area as well as the cave’s darkness.

If you are a fan of Kate Bateman, you will truly enjoy this book. If you haven’t read any of her books, this is a great place to start! She has set the stage for the rest of the series! I highly recommend this fun read and I hope you laugh as much as I did while you are reading.

Thank you to Kate Bateman, St. Martin’s Publishing, and Netgalley for an advanced copy. I voluntarily read the book and gladly leave my unbiased opinion

4 Are They Reckless Enough to Find Love Stars?!

This is my first book by Kate Bateman and what a wonderful introduction to her writing and storytelling!! From the very first page I knew that this enemies to lovers story was going to keep enthralled! I greedily devoured this book and the adventures that Maddie and Gryff find themselves engaged in.

These two have known each other since they were young children and to say that Gryff was “that boy” next door that relentlessly teased Maddie is putting it mildly. You know what they say about that though…beneath the teasing is a secret crush..which is so true for our H/h. But oh how things have changed when they meet again as adults… Gryff comes home because he “has to” and Maddie is rather intrigued by this grown man. Especially when she finds out that because of her father’s debts she has to marry someone rich… and who better than the boy next door!!

This book had a tone of light and adventurous times that had me chuckling… I mean there’s secret tunnels and meetings that if discovered could be taken the wrong way. There are hints of steam in this book but a lot of it is left up to our imagination which I actually appreciated given that a lot of HR books are heavy on the steamy side. Overall this book was a great read and I loved getting to meet these families and all the secondary characters and I can’t wait for the next book!

Meet the Davies and Montgomery families, two households locked in an ancient feud, if one says it's black the other says it's white
Madeline Montgomery grew up despising and secretly loving the roguish Gryffud “Gryff” Davies. Now, she’s too busy saving her family from ruin to think about Gryff and the other “devilish” Davies siblings. Since he’s off being scandalous in London, it’s not like she’ll ever see him again. As the new Earl of Powys, Gryff Davies planned on spending his post-war life enjoying the pleasures of London. But when an illegal duel forces him to retreat to his family’s Welsh castle, he realizes the only exciting thing in the dull countryside will be seeing the fiery Maddie Montgomery. Thoughts of his nemesis sustained Gryff throughout the war; but the girl he loved to tease has grown into a gorgeous, headstrong woman who loathes him just as much as she ever did.
The first in a new series & I was drawn in from the start & loved every page. A very well written, well researched book with wonderful characters & a story that left me breathless at times. It had everything you want in a five star read or at least everything I want, enemies to lovers (my favourite trope), lively, entertaining banter, smugglers, dark caverns, explosions, a snake of a suitor, delightful siblings, cousins & not so staid aunts. I was one very happy reader as I devoured this book. Gryff & Maddie are an absolute delight & perfect for each other, their attraction was electric & they were equals in their verbal bantering. I look forward to secondary characters having their stories
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Davies and Montgomery families have hated each other for generations. Madeline Montgomery once had a crush on Gryffud Davies, but he left for London and she was sure he'd never return. An illegal duel forces his return to Wales, and both have changed since the days of their childish teasing.

The Montgomery family is down on their luck, so Madeline's father considers the local magistrate's offer of paying him for the privilege of marrying her. Madeline knows she'll be unhappy, given her penchant for archaeological digs; this means that she and Gryffud explore a cave system on their families' joint property. This is how they find smugglers, and both feel personally responsible enough to bring justice to the area. The two are in close company, seeing the good in each other as well as the frustration; their banter is really fun to read, as is the growing bond between them.

With this as a romance novel, we know that all will be well in the end. Both of these stubborn people will admit their true feelings, the Montgomery family will be brought back from the brink of financial ruin, and the smugglers will be caught. It's how it happens that's the fun of reading this, and I absolutely devoured this book to read the end of it. I really enjoyed it, and look forward to future books.

If you enjoy smart, sassy, fun regency romance Kate Bateman writes the books for you! A Reckless Match is the first in a new series featuring the classic enemies to lovers trope. Maddie is a delightful, intelligent heroine. Gryff is the new Earl of Powys and her perfect foil. Back from the war with the French he's surprised to find the young girl he used to tease all grwn-up...and beautiful! Their families have been feuding for hundreds of years...will they be the ones to end the feud? Maybe...but a gang of smugglers stands in their way. With sharp, clever dialog this book is a delight to read. I highly recommend this book!
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book quite enjoyable. Clever banter and sparks fly as this fun story unfolds. I really liked Gryff and Maddie. Their romance has a lot of heart, plenty of drama, some excitement and solid splashes of sweet and cute. I found it very easy to get caught up in this book and then look up and be amazed at how much time had passed. If this book is any indication to go by, this looks like it is going to be a very good series.

I've apparently hit a rough patch in reading, having started and stopped this book a few times, so the smuggling "adventure" alongside the enemies-to-lovers trope (which is normally my jam) didn't hold my interest, even though Maddie wanting to be an archeologist should be intriguing. "This Earl of Mine," which starts the Bow Street Bachelor series, actually held my attention more, even though there was still the issue of the story lagging in parts. And creepy and abusive suitors being creepy and abusive (no, not Gryff) set my teeth on edge. Also, I appreciate people's understanding and acceptance of germs back then was WAY different compared to now, but I will never get people getting it on in places that are far from clean. This book clearly sets up two sequels, so I might give those a go.

Oh, what a wonderful way to start a new series! This one will grab you from the first couple of pages.
Hold on its going to be a wild ride with these two... The Davies and The Montgomery's have had a feud for centuries. Till King Henry the Seventh tired of the bloodshed stopped the fighting by making one member from each family meet in the middle of a bridge and shake hands once every year.
Maddie Montgomery needs for the Davies to forget about this year's meeting. She has been praying and hoping for it. Her family is broke and if one of the Davies doesn't show up their land would then become the Montgomery's and they would be saved. Unfortunately, not only does a Davies show up but the only one of the three brothers that drives Maddie crazy and always has. The new Earl Gryff Davies !! He and his brothers have teased her and her cousin forever. Now after three years he's back and even more handsome, it just not fair that he is so handsome and knows it too.
He still can make Maddie's temper and blood boil but not for the same reason it seems.
Gryff can't believe the changes in the little tomboy that he loved teasing and fighting with. She has been a torn in his side for years. Nothing is more fun for him then stirring her up. Now he is having thoughts of other things he would like to do with her!!
Cause now she is a beautiful woman and causes his blood to boil too.
When Gryff and Maddie find contraband on both their land, they know they will have to work together. Oh, the trouble these two get into. From enemies to friends and much more.
This book is not only intriguing with lots of danger, and accidents, but the attraction and witty banter between them is delightful. There is lots of twist and turns finding out the bad guys.
Secrets need to be voiced on both sides before it's too late and they might lose everything.
If the other books are this good, I can't wait to see if it's one of Gryff's brothers or his sister's story.
Either way you don't want to miss the beginning so grab this book, you will not be sorry.
I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

Oh I did enjoy this story very much. Gryff, Earl of Powys was such a tease and Madeline had been the victim of his capers for some time. They are neighbours on either side of the Wales/England border and their families are long time enemies. There are also their respective siblings and cousin and I look forward to reading their stories. This story has a passionate romance, smugglers, dangerous situations and plenty of amusing banter. What more could you want? The story moved along at a good pace and was very entertaining, it kept my interest until the end. I received a copy and have voluntarily received it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. However, I did preorder my own copy.

Enemies to lovers stories are always fun. In this case the family feud could rival the Hatfields and McCoys spanning hundreds of years. The representatives of the 2 families are required to meet once a year the shake hands in a middle zone set up by the king to stop the fighting.
This year Maddie Montgomery has shown up to meet her arch nemesis Gryffud Davies (the new Earl of Powys since his father had dies).
Maddie and Gryff has grown up together teasing and taunting each other as only children can. In addition to the feud, Maddie also is worrying about finances. Her father has made bad investments that have left the family on the edge of poverty if they can't pay off their creditors. His solution is to marry of his daughter to a slimy old man. But, Maddie is trying to find another solution.
Maddie is a strong, independent smart woman who is trying to use her knowledge of archeology to find some relic worth some money.
Gryff is a strong but kind man who is trying to find his way with his ne title. When forced into a situation where he has to work with Maddie to stop smuggling he admires her strength and resilience.
The two are put into a dangerous situation and that allows their true feelings to come out and rather than a family feud they find love.
I recived an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review

Madeline and Gryff's families have been enemies for generations, and the two of them have held grudges since childhood - but mostly of the pranks and hijinks variety. When Madeline's family has some financial setbacks, and Gryff is exiled from London because of a duel, the two of them banter, argue, and flirt. I thought they were very cute together and I REALLY liked that they were never cruel or hateful to each other.

Meanwhile, there were some adventures, problems to solve, danger, and some cute side characters who I hope we will see in future books!

This was a really good enemies-to-lovers romance - I recommend it! And I'll be watching for more in this series!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!